Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-10-07

children the reputation OF an uoAeSt Hail.
Every truly yours,
CASA ROGERS.
''Ric1tna07ad, June, 1885,"
We give the sketch in full, cutting not
line, changing not word, but presenting,
as it was written, the modest autobiography
of man whose virtues may we'll be emu
lated by every young Virginian.
Asa Rogers
was born in Loudoun county on the oath
of June, 1902. At the age of twelve years
was placed in a country store. where he
remained for six years, when he qualified
as deputy sheriff and served in that office
some eighteen months. He was then en-
gagged by Gen. Mercer, long the member of
Congress from that district, to take charge
of his mills at Aide, in that county, and
occasionally went to Washington during
the sessions, acting as his private secretary.
At the age of twenty three he was cleo
ted by the freeholders of Loudoun one of
the delegates to the General Assembly, by
two to one majority over his competitor,
and took his seat at the December session,
1926, the youngest member but one, in
that body of 213 members. Was re-elec-
ted in 1927, and at the close of that session
he declined reelection, soon after which
he was married to Miss Ellen L. Orr, daugh-
ter DR.. John D. Orr, of Frederick county,
Va, and settled in Middleburg as a mer-
chant, to which was added milling and
farming.
In 1912 was elected to the Senate from
the district of Loudoun and Fairfax, to
which Alexandria county and city were
added after retroc ession to Virginia
In 1916 was reelected, and after ser
vice of eight years in that body. declined
reelection and applied himself actively to
his private affairs.
Was member of the county court bench
for thirty years, and for ten of those years
was elected by unanimous vote of his as
sociates the presiding justice. He was one
of the most active magistrates of the coun-
ty, and it was remarkable fact, that no
Judgment rendered by him, in or out of
court, was ever reversed. He was often
heard to say that he decided questions ae-
cording as he thought, to the very right
and equity of the case, and though he
might have frequently made mistakes, the
people accepted his decisions kindly.
Gen. Rogers had quite q reputation as
military man in his day. At eighteen he
was commissioned as subaltern officer of
his company and rose rapidly to the COM
mand OF his regiment. AT the age of
thirty-some years was elected by unani-
nous vote of the General Assembly brlga-
der, general and some years later was ap-
pointed major-general.
These positions were then held by mem
bers of Congress and men of high reputa-
ton in the State.
In 1861 the war came on, and having
held these high positions as military man
the question was, ought he not seek active
service in the field? Domestic affection
was in his family. He was nearly sixty
years of age. His three sons ell went into
service at the beginning, two of whom left
their wives and children in their fathers
house. Under these circumstances Gov.
Letcher advised that it was his duty to
stay at home and keep the peace as well as
he could. He did SO, but was subject to
constant annoyance. Arrested often and
robbed, suffered long and cruel imprison-
ment at Washington and Fort Delaware.
The war over, he looked into his affairs
and found himself ruined in his fortune,
| and without resorting to stay laws and the
| like, he made conveyance of all his estate
without reserve, for the benefit of his
creditors.
In this condition, his mission in Lou
QOun seeming 10 De euueu, he Was ADVISED
to move to Richmond and seek the office
of Second Auditor, then vacant. He did
SO, and in December was elected to that
Office by vote approaching to unanimlty,
entering upon its duties January 1st 1867.
There he continued by reelection from
time to time, occasionally without oppo-
sition, and always by large majorities IN
til the Malone Readjuster party came into
power December, 1879, when he and all
his associates in the Capitol were relieved
from Office. Since then Gen. Rogers has
had no public employment.
Some years ago defalcation was dis
covered in Treasurer's Office and the Sink
ing Fund, which led to criminal prosecu-
tions and Investigations by legislative
committees.
The:attempt was made to implicate the
Office of the Second Auditor in some way
with those transactions. After long and
searching investigation by an able joint
committee, the result was triumphal vim